A strong push early in the first period almost resulted in the game’s opening goal for the IceRays, but RoadRunners netminder Tyler Johnson impressed to steal a goal away from the home side. Topeka instead claimed the game’s first goal at 10:58 when forward Quinn Preston just barely nudged a loose puck past the goal line to take a 1-0 lead. The RoadRunners continued to press in the opening frame but were turned away despite the push.